My local take
Riu Palace Jamaica is the adults-only, more upscale member of the three Riu resorts on Mahoe Bay, just east of Montego Bay, and the only one in Jamaica with Riu’s Elite Club rooms. It closed at the end of August 2026 for what Riu calls a full rebuild: rooms renovated, common areas refurbished and some restaurants changed, including a new steakhouse. Riu’s regional director told the Jamaica Observer and the Gleaner in May 2026 that it reopens on December 12, and Riu’s own site says it is under renovation and reopening in December 2026. The Jamaica Tourist Board list from October 7 still shows it as open, so go by Riu’s notice.
My take: don’t book it for a trip before mid-December, and check the date with Riu before you pay. I’ll update this page once it reopens and the new rooms and restaurants are listed. Until then, the easy answer is next door: Riu Montego Bay and Riu Reggae are both adults only on the same bay. For something quieter and more couples-focused, look at Excellence Oyster Bay near Falmouth, or see the best adults-only all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica.
At a glance
- Status
- Closed for renovation; Riu's site says reopening December 2026
- Reopening
- Planned for December 12, 2026, after closing at the end of August
- What's changing
- Rooms fully renovated, common areas refurbished, some restaurants changed, including a new steakhouse
- Resort type
- All-inclusive, 24 hours; adults only
- Size
- 288 rooms, all junior suites and suites
- Area
- On Mahoe Bay beach, Rose Hall, next to Riu Montego Bay and Riu Reggae
- Airport
- 2.7 km from Sangster International (MBJ), about 10 to 15 minutes by car
Checked October 2026 against the sources below. See sources. Something changed? Tell me.
What to know before booking
- Closed for renovation until the planned reopening on December 12, 2026.
- Riu hasn't yet published details of the renovated rooms and restaurants.
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Location
Riu Palace Jamaica is on Mahoe Bay at Rose Hall, about 2.7 km from Sangster International Airport, sharing the bay with Riu Montego Bay and Riu Reggae. For open resorts nearby, see where to stay in Montego Bay.
Questions people ask
Is Riu Palace Jamaica open?
No. It closed at the end of August 2026 for a full renovation, and Riu plans to reopen it on December 12, 2026, according to the Jamaica Observer. Riu’s own site says it is under renovation and reopening in December 2026.
What is changing in the renovation?
Riu says the rooms are being fully renovated, the common areas refurbished, and some restaurants changed, including a new steakhouse. Details of the new rooms haven’t been published yet.
Is Riu Palace Jamaica adults only?
Yes. Riu runs it as an adults-only resort, and that is not expected to change with the renovation.
Where should I stay instead while it's closed?
Riu Montego Bay and Riu Reggae are adults-only Riu resorts on the same bay. Excellence Oyster Bay near Falmouth is a quieter adults-only option.
Sources & updates
- Riu: Hotel Riu Palace Jamaica (renovation notice, hotel page and FAQ) · checked
- Jamaica Observer: After 25 years, RIU signals expansion and investment in Jamaica (May 2026) · checked
- Jamaica Gleaner: Plans afoot to close RIU Palace Montego Bay for major refurbishing (May 2026) · checked
- Jamaica Tourist Board: hotel reopening schedule · checked
Update log
- — New status page: closed for renovation, reopening planned for December 12, 2026.
- — Link refresh: Status page: swapped Sandals Royal Plantation for the closer Excellence Oyster Bay (local take and FAQ).
Spotted something out of date? Tell me and I’ll check it.